Chassis-frame for motor-vehicles.



A. P. BRUSH. mamas FRAME P08 MOTOR VEHICLES,

APPLICATION FILED 00121.1813.

Patented Dec. 15,1914.

In re)? tar mines-ses- I flzanian fin/s5 A. P. BRUSH.

CHASSIS FRAME FOB MOTOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION H'LED 001221, 1913,

1,120,900 Patented Dec. 15,1914.

W 51573; 65 Pnran/ibr x fllarzs n r'I/sb f W MINA WW A. P. BRUSH.

cmssxs FRAME roa mowon vnmcnss.

APPLICATION FILED 001321, 1913 1 ,120,900. Patented 1m 15,1914

3 SHEETS-BEBE! 3.

FTP-5.

ALANSON I .o'EIJESii. DETBJIT, MICHIGAN.

CHASSIS-FRAME FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 15. 1914.

Application filed October 21. 1913. Serial No. 796,404.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALANSON P. BRUsH, a. citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne andState of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in (hassis- Frames for Motor- Vehicles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to motor vehicle frame construction, and it is the primary objcct of the invention to increase the strength as well as to reduce the weight, by utilizing members which have heretofore been auxiliary or mere attachments to the frame, as structural portions thereof.

It is a further object to so combine these elements that each, in addition to the performance of its usual function, will cooperate with the other elements to strengthen the structure as a whole.

Still a further object is to obtain a construction in: which the elements usually employed are dispensed with and the functions thereof performed by other elements primarily designed for distinct functions.

With these objects in view, the invention comprises various features of construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of the frame; Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a number of the elements composing the frame detached, but in position for assembly; Fig. 4 is a similar view of the assembled elements; and Fig. 5 is a cross section.

In the present state of the art of motor vehicle construction, there are certain elements which are universally used, such, for instance, as the side sills of the frame, the running-board, cross connections between the side sills, etc. Some of these elements, such as the side sills and running-board, are

functionally distinct and, although attached to each other, do not otherwise coiiperate.

These sills are not strengthened by the attachment of the running-board thereto, but

only form a support for the latter; and, on the other hand, the running-board is entirely independent in function from the sills. With my improved construction these two elements are so combined that the sill is an essential part of the running-board and the running-board an essential part of the sill,

while the combined structure is stronger in proportion to its weight than with constructions heretofore used.

In detail, A is the side sill of the chassis frame, and B are the running-boards. It is usual to form side sills of channel cross-section, the upper'and lower flanges forming respectively compression and tension members of a truss or structural beam. \Vith my construction the lower flange may be entirely dispensed with in that portion of the sill which is adjacent to the running-board, and the runningboard is so designed as to perform the function of this flange when attached. More in detail, the central portions of the sills A. are formed with an upper inwardly-extending flange C and a downwardlycxtending web D, thereby forming an inverted L or angle bar. The running-board is formed of a laterallv-extending sheet E of the desired width, having downturned strengthening flanges F and F at its opposite sides, the former being riveted or otherwise rigidly'attachcdto the lower portion of the web D,

and the latter being preferably tapered from center to ends to form a truss. This produces of the combined structures a Z-bar section, which has the essential properties of a truss. Furthermore, the web portion D forms the side shields or closure for the space between the running-board and the body, as well as a means for attaching and supporting the latter, so that several parts usually employed in running-board construction are dispensed withsuch as separate shields and separate supporting brackets.

To further increase the strength, the ends of the running-board are bent upward, preferably in a curve, thereby forming brackets or braces G between the horizontal portion with the web D, and to avoid any point of weakness these-flanges overlap the portion attached to the running-board and are ta- I therefore provide.

to be attached to the depending flange F thereof.

As generally constructed the chassis has an open frame, and the body of the ehicle which is mounted on this frame is provided with a floor. Vith my construction the floor may be formed as a portion of the frame, which will increase the strength and rigidity of the latter, particularly in operating as a substitute for a gusset between the side sills and cross bars, and also as an extension of the upper or compression flange of the side sills, increasing the strength thereof. Thus. as shown ia Fig. 5, the floor N formed of a. metallic plate, which is riveted or otherwise secured to the upper flanges (T of the sills and extends substantially in the plane thereof from one side to the other. This plate further forms a longitudinal bracefor the frame where the side sills are curved, to decrease the width at the front end.

The cross bars of the chassis frame are.

usually arranged in the plane of the side sills or below the same and have no functional relation with the body of the vehicle. On the other hand, in the construction of vehicle bodies the space between the seat and the floor is usually inelosed by a .ertiCally-extending board. I have structurally combined these two elements by forming a cross-l rme of a metallic bar, so positioned as to ext-end beneath the seat .and to close th space between th same and the floor. This bar. as shown in Figs. 3, 4- and 5, has an upper flange I, which is secured to the upper tlange L of the sill extension L, and a lower flange Q which is attached to the upper flange of the sil A and also to the ilnO. plate N.

From the above deription it will be understood that my improied structure is an organized unit, in which the structural elements are combined in a. novel manner. contr buting both to increased strength and diminished weight.

that I claim as my invention is:

1. In a motor vehicle frame adapted to support a body separable therefrom, a side sill separate rom the body and a running board con'ihined as a unit. said running board forming a strengthening flange for said sill, and the web portion of said sill I forming a closure between the running board and the body.

2. In a motor vehicle frame adapted to support a body separable therefrom, a. side sill and a running board combined as a. unit, said running board forming a strengthening flange for said sill. and the web portion of said sill forming a closure between the running board and body, and a depending flange at the outer edge of the running board for strengthening the same.

In a motor yehicle frame adapted to support a body sepa able therefrom, a side sill and a running board combined as a unit, said running board frrming a strengthening flange for said sill, and the web portion of said sill forming a closure between the running board and body. and an angle brace between said running board and web.

t. In a motor ychicle frame adapted to support a body separable therefrom, a side sill and a running boa rd combined as a unit, said running board forming a strengthening flange for said sill, and the web portion of said sill forming a til l tli'l between the run ning board and body. a depending flange at the outer edge of said board, and an angle brace between said running boa rd and the web portion of said sill.

In a motor vehicle frame, a sill having a web portion and a single flange extending laterally therefrom, a running-board secured to said web portion to form a second flange therefor, and a double-flanged section of said sill beyond said running board.

(3. In a motor vehicle frame, a side sill having a central portion of L cross section with a \ertically-extending web portion, a. running board secured to said portion and extending laterally therefrom, the end of said running-board being upturned and secured to said Web to form a brace, and a double-flanged portion of said sill extending beyond said running-board.

7. In a. motor vehicle frame, a side sill having single and double flange portions in ditferent lengths thereof and a runningboard secured to said single flange portion and constituting a second flange therefor.

8. In a motor vehicle frame, a sill having a laterally-extending flange at one edge of its web portion and a, second laterally-extending flange at the oppos te edge of said web pm, on for a portion only of the length th: seoz. said flange ha ing a tapering inner end portion. and a winning-board secured having a vertical web portion, a runnin board secured to the lower edge of said web portion, and an upturned end for said running-board forming a brace' connection to said web and a means of attachment forthe wheel fender.

12. In a motor vehicle frame, the combination with the side sills, of a floor extending between said sills, and a cross bar also extending between said sills arranged between said floor and the vehicle seat and forming a closure forlthe space therebetween.

13. In 'a motor vehicle frame, a sill having a vertical web portion, a laterally-extending flange forming a running-board, and an angle-brace between the runningboard and the webI.

14. In a motor vehicle frame, a sill having a vertical web portion, a laterally-extenddepending flangeat the outer end of said running-board increasing in depth from ends to center.

15. In a motor vehicle frame, a sill having a vertical web'portion, a laterally-extending flange forming a running-board, angle braces at the ends of said runningboard connecting thesame with said web,

and a depending flange at the outer edge of said laterally-extending flan increasing in depth from the ends towar the center of said running-board to form a truss.

16. In a motor vehicle frame, a sill having a vertical web portion,. a laterally-extending flange forming a running board, and a depending flange at the inner edge of said running board attached to said vertical web portion.

17. In a motor vehicle frame, a sill having a vertical web portion, a laterally-ex-- tending flange forming a running board, and down-turned strengtheninflangesat opposite sides ofsaid running card.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALANSON P. BRUSH.

Witnesses:

JAMES P. BARRY, HENRI E. BOWMAN. 

